Communication between cultures 8TH EDITION Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language © Cengage 20121Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language

Key Ideas Functions of language Language and meaning Language and culture Using language Interpreting and translating Communication technology and language Language and intercultural competence © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language2

Functions of language Social interaction Social cohesion Expressions of identity © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language3

Language and meaning Language is a set of symbols that a cultural group has agreed to use to create meaning. The symbols and their meanings are often arbitrary Language variations – Accent – Dialect – Argot – Slang © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language4

Language and meaning Conversational taboos – Cultural restrictions related to the discussion of certain topics or use of certain words – Generally related to topics of sex, the supernatural, excretion and death © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language5

Language and culture Synergy between language and culture – Language is dominant in shaping worldview and perception of reality – A culture’s language vocabulary emphasizes what is important © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language6

Using Language Using Language – how language to influence perceptions Spanish – Male orientation in Mexican society evident in gendered nouns and pronouns – Separate verb conjunctions help Mexicans express formality which is important in the culture © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language7

Using Language Northeast Asian cultures (e.g. China, Korea, Japan) – High context cultures – Employ language in an indirect manner to promote harmony – Politeness takes precedence over truth – Importance of formality and hierarchy – Opposite of western culture’s view of communication as a way to increase self-esteem © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language8

Using Language Arabic – Language unites and defines greater Arab community – Language is a function of history – Language posses emotional content – Indirectness is used to ensure smooth relations – Repetition and exaggeration is used to appeal to emotions – Focus on the present and uncertainty about the future © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language9

Using Language English – “I”” is used frequently in conversation – Language is used to protect your own face rather than the faces of others – Communication is used to promote individuality – Americans prefer to be on a first name basis quickly with titles rarely used © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language10

Interpreting and translating Interpretation - changing oral or signed messages from one language into another Translation – changing written or signed messages from one language to another Translation requires an extensive awareness of cultural factors © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language11

Interpreting and translating Working with interpreters and translators – Language knowledge – Dialect knowledge – Specialized technology – Cultural knowledge © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language12

Communication technology and language The digital age has greatly enhanced the ability of people around to world to easily and quickly “connect” with others through a variety of media Interacting through the Internet requires the use of a common language English continues to be the most common language among Internet users Language can also play a role in the selection of which social media outlet a culture favors © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language13

Language and intercultural competence Improving intercultural interactions – Being mindful – Speech rate – Vocabulary – Attend to nonverbal behaviors – Checking Second language benefits – Communicate with people – Shows people you’re interested in them – Provides insight into the emotions and values of a culture © Cengage 2012 Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language14

Communication between cultures 8TH EDITION Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language © Cengage Chapter 8 Verbal Messages: Exchanging Ideas Through Language